San Juan, La Union: Eat and Kayak!

I had my first solo trip in La Union last March 2013. I came back last month  with my partner Jm. Since he wanted to surf and the only option we have was Baler or La Union, we chose the latter--- which only has 6 hours of travel time.

We were not sure whether there will be waves or not since it's already the end of the summer season, but we still decided to give it a try. It took us 6 hours and 30 minutes before we get to San Juan, La Union (whatever happened to Partas Bus? The driver was very slow!).

We made a room reservation at Lola Nanny's-- there will be another post for this. =) We felt a little disappointed because the waves were smaller, even though there were some people who were having surf lessons.

 Lola Nanny's common area

We went to Angel and Marie's Surfer's Retreat to have lunch. The restaurant is located just along MacArthur Highway in San Juan, La Union. A good meal for two will cost less than 300 PHP. Last time I went there, I shared a "purely vegan" dish (Blue Marlin Kilawin and Mixed Veggies) with the Canadian photographer, Craig.

Inside the restaurant.

Blue Marlin Kilawin 199 PHP (good for 2).

Four Seasons! 78 PHP for 2.

For dinner, we went to Little Surfmaid Restaurant and ordered a plate of Carbonara. It's actually good for one only, but because it costs a lot, we decided to share in one plate. Hahahahaha! Anyway, the pasta was tasty and we liked how they put so many bacon in it!

Carbonara 240 PHP.

We had a drink at Lola Nanny's after dinner. We shared a few ideas.. argued... teased.. and laughed. Hahaha!

Beer at Lola Nanny's! 40 PHP

The next morning, we met Lois of wearesolesisters.com at The Circle Hostel. We talked over a cup of coffee and it was really great to see her again. Hearing her experiences makes me motivated to travel more. It was nice to see Maribel at the hostel, too! 

With Lois Yasay of wearesolesisters.com.

We had our breakfast at a local canteen along MacArthur Highway. We spent around 150 PHP--- relatively cheaper compared to other restaurants in the area. "Tapsi" costs around 60 -75 PHP. The taste wasn't that bad. :)

Adobo something.. 

At the beach, the waves were too small for surfing, but it didn't stop Jm from renting a surf board. We rented a surf board from Kuya Rey (my former surf instructor). One hour surf board rental costs 200 PHP. After 30 minutes or so, the waves were still small, so I decided to just rent a Kayak instead. 

One hour surf board rental 200 PHP

Drinking Coke before we go Kayaking 80 PHP

One hour Kayak rental 400 PHP.

We checked out at Lola Nanny's and rode a jeep to San Fernando to meet Ate Baneng, Jm's relative. We toured around Ma Cho Temple and Filipino and Chinese Pagoda.. that will be in my next post!

Total cost of damage: 

Partas bus from Cubao to La Union - 361 (student discount for Jm) + 449 (regular fare) = 810

Lola Nanny's - 500 (fan room w/ shared bath) + 200 (2hrs extension) = 700

Lunch at Angel and Marie's Surfer's Retreat - 297

Dinner at Surfmaid's - 240

Beer at Lola Nanny's - 80 (40 each)

Breakfast at a canteen - 150

Surf board rental - 200

Kayak - 400

Coke at San Juan Surf Resort - 80 (40 each)

Jeep from San Juan to San Fernando - 20 (10 each) 

Partas bus from San Fernando La Union to Cubao - 436 x 2 = 872

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3849 PHP for two, as always!

Check out my other blog post about La Union here.

Tipid tip #1: We ate a lot for breakfast so that we don't have to eat for lunch.

Tipid tip #2: Share! Even though my partner is a big eater, we decided to share a plate of Carbonara (since Carbonara is rich in calories and fat-- enough to fill our belly). Don't over-indulge!

Tipid tip #3: Use your school ID! We saved more than 40 pesos in transpo!

Tipid tip #4: If waves are not for surfing, just do other activity such as Kayaking! 

Enjoy Kayaking!

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Accommodation: The Circle Hostel in Zambales

The Circle Hostel is a budget-friendly accommodation located in Sitio Liw-Liwa, San Felipe, Zambales. Sitio Liw-Liwa in San Felipe, Zambales is known for surfing and skim-boarding.

How to get there:

Ride an Iba or Olongapo bound Zambales bus at the Victory Liner Terminals in Cubao or Caloocan.

If you take the Iba-bound Victory Liner bus, it will pass through the town of San Felipe. Tell the bus driver to drop you off at the Bobulon Elementary School in San Felipe OR at the San Felipe Public Market. From there, you can ride a tricycle to Sitio Liw-Liwa (2 kms. away).

If you ride an Olongapo-bound Victory Liner bus, the last stop would be at the bus terminal in Olongapo City. From there, you can either take the San Felipe ordinary bus or Iba-bound buses (Victory Liner). Tell the driver to drop you off at the Bobulon Elementary School OR the San Felipe Public Market.

Cubao to Olongapo - 207
Olongapo to San Felipe - 61
Tricycle - 30

It'll take about a five or six hour bus ride from Manila to San Felipe. The tricycle ride from the public market to the hostel will take about 10 minutes.

Rates per night:

Bunk bed (w/ mosquito net) - 350/head

Hammock (w/ built-in mosquito net) - 250/head

Pitch a tent - 250/head

There's actually a co-ed single dorm bed and a female single-dorm bed. For the tent, you have to bring your own. :)

the hostel

reception area

tent and hammock

lockers

bunk beds

There's also a common area where you can charge your batteries or drink with friends and meet new people! (Remember, there are no strangers!)

There's a shared bathroom. (3 shower area, 3 toilet)

The hostel offers surfing lesson:

With surfboard and instructor - 400

There's "karinderya" or food store just across the hostel:

Food costs from 60-100+ pesos.

The beach is 2-3 minutes walk from the hostel.

 huge stones!

mountains!

lagoon! (it's hidden!)

no waves yet!

Cost of damage (without surfing):1278

Air-con Victory Liner bus (Cubao to Olongapo) - 207

Ordinary Victory Liner bus (Olongapo to San Felipe) - 61

Tricycle from Bobulon Elementary School (San Felipe) to the Circle Hostel in Sitio Liw-Liwa - 30

Bunk Bed - 350

Dinner - 90

Breakfast - 70

Tricycle from Hostel to San Felipe Public Market - 30

Ordinary V. Liner from San Felipe Public Market to Olongapo terminal - 80

Lunch - 60

Air-con V. Liner Express bus from Olongapo terminal to Manila - 300+

For more information about The Circle Hostel:

www.thecirclehostel.com/

Victory Liner Website:

www.victoryliner.com/

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Solitary Journey: The Circle Hostel, La Union

After my surf sesh in Baler, I decided to try another surfing lesson in La Union. I stayed at the Circle Hostel located along Mc Arthur Highway in Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union. The hostel is located behind Urbiztondo Grill (the grill is located across San Juan Surf Resort).

It was my first “solo” trip and I would really like to thank my parents for allowing me to travel alone.

Getting there:

Partas Bus Lines terminal in Cubao - Ride a Vigan bound bus and tell the conductor to drop you off at Urbiztondo Grill or San Juan Surf Resort in La Union (they already know where it is). The hostel is just right behind Urbiztondo Grill.

Cost: PHP450.00+

The Hostel:

I paid for the bunk bed which costs 400 pesos per night. They have separate dorm-type rooms for girls and boys. There’s also a common bath separated for girls and boys. The hammock costs 300 pesos. Even though I paid for the bunk bed, I decided to sleep in the hammock. Sleeping in a hammock was really uncomfortable because my legs were resting higher than my body. I really don’t know how James Betia managed to sleep in hammock during his trips. Hahaha.

They have the common area, where you can charge your cellphone or digicam battery, meet new friends, drink beer and just relax.

Meet my bunk bed!

"duyan" or hammock area.

shared bath (left side for women and right side for men)

 drinking with my surf instructor and Maribel, the hostel's receptionist (with my oily face)

drinking with the locals & Craig

Surfing:

There are surf lessons offered at the beach front. (Nasa kabilang side yung Hostel, so make sure you wear a cover up before hitting the beach because you actually have to cross the highway before you reach it.)

Cost: 200- 1 hour surfboard rental only

400- 1 hour surfing lesson w/ surfboard

my swimsuit and the surfing board! (something's not right with the color..)

I had my lesson at San Juan Surf Resort and Kuya Rey was my instructor. Sadly, no one was there to take pictures of me surfing. Kuya Rey taught surfing lessons in Club Manila East (Taytay, Rizal) before.

Sunday is the perfect time to surf.

Where to Eat:

ANGEL AND MARIE’S SURFER’S RETREAT

Blue Marlin Kilawin is a must-try! “Kilawin” is a Philippine exotic delicacy served with raw fish mixed with vinegar. It was my first time to eat raw fish (because my momma told me not to eat raw foods when I’m in a different place) and at first I thought I would not enjoy the dish. This has got to be one of the best seafood I’ve ever tasted. One serving costs around PHP170.00+. I shared this dish with another friend, Craig Pulsifer.

URBIZTONDO GRILL AND RESTAURANT

The foods were reasonably priced and they serve seafoods, as well. I spent around PHP 200.00 for the meal (grilled squid, rice and soda).

Total estimated cost of damage (in Philippine peso): PHP1700

Bus to La Union- 500
Lunch at Urbiztondo Grill- 200 (est.)
One night at The Circle Hostel- 400 (bunk bed)
Dinner at Angel and Marie's Surfer's Retreat- 200 (est.)
1 hr. Surfing Lesson- 400 

I didn't take the bus from La Union to Manila, because I did a side trip to Vigan (it's another story) before going back to the city. So, probably you'll be spending less than PHP2,500 for 2 days and 1 night stay in La Union.

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